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Cicinho focused on return

By Lucas Brown

Cicinho is looking to make a quick return to action following knee surgery.

Cicinho is looking to make a quick return to action having returned to Brazil following an operation to repair his knee ligament injury.

The Real Madrid full back is pleased to be with his family in the early stages of his recovery after suffering the first major lay-off of his career.

Surgery was required after Cicinho damaged his knee ligaments during Madrid's victory at Real Betis last month and now he is only thinking about playing again.

"I am going to work hard so that I can return as quickly as possible," he told the club's official website. "The doctors have told me that it will take four to six months to recover.

"This is something footballers sometimes have to go through. My family and my wife are fully supportive. I am ready to start to work as soon as possible.

"I am feeling good. The doctors told me surgery went perfectly well and that is the most important thing for me because it means I can soon start my recovery.

"This very serious injury is the first in my career, but I am taking things easy. I have to think about going back to work."

The injury has come at a bad time for personal reasons as Cicinho and his wife are expecting their first child.

"It is better that I am in Brazil at the moment, especially because my wife is pregnant," he explained. "It is our first child, and it is important that we are with our families because I won't be able to help her much during the pregnancy.

"Real Madrid's medical staff have been excellent, but my family comes first. That is why I have decided to go back to Brazil and start my recovery there.

"I will return to Madrid when I feel better, because I have total faith in the club's medical staff."

Several Madrid players who have suffered similar injuries have been in contact with Cicinho to give their support and some advice.

"Ronaldo and Raul were the first players who spoke to me," the former Sao Paulo star said. "Emerson, who had knee problems when he was with Roma, also talked to me.

"They have told me to only think about the recovery work because this is a very serious injury, and I will have to work very hard in order to get better."